him in his natural birth whereby he is enbabled to see himself quite thorow and to know all his own inward motions and outward actions and to look upon things that are made without and upon a Law of works within written in his heart and thereby we know something of his Creator and of his own dutie what is right to be done â—â—d not only so but by reflecting upon that Law he may see the regularitie or inregularitie of his own actions and according to their conformitie or non-conformitie thereto may have peace a legal peace or trouble in his conscience and this it may do where Christ as the way the truth and the life is not so much heard of thus it was with Adam the light and Law within him first convinceth him of sin troubles and torments him so that he runs to hide himself from the presence of God Gen. 3. 10. I was afraid and hid my self before the promise of grace was held forth in the seed of the woman ver 15. And thus having declared how much is to be acknowledged concerning the light within common to all men whereby it evidently appears to be a great an excellent and in many respects a very necessarie light I proceed to speak of the second branch namely What the remaining Light in every man cannot do But first by the way it ought to be remembred that the light whereof we speak whether we respect the Candle-Light of mans spirit or the Light of the Law written in his heart is a natural Light that is a Light that is in the nature of all men for though it be true that if this Light be considered abstractly and apart or with respect to its Author and efficient cause the Father of Lights and Spirits it is Spiritual in which sence not only the Law as the Apostle speaks Rom. 7. 14. but all Light whatsoever may be called Spiritual yet when this Light is considered as united to its subject and by the Law of Creation according to the good pleasure of the Creator put into the nature of man for the enabling him as a man to perform that obedience which God requires of him for his own glory thus it is a natural Light or a Light flowing from the principles of nature without which as was said before there could not be a man so that as there is a natural man 1 Cor. 2. 14. a natural mind a natural understanding a natural conscience so is there a natural Light in man This is evident from the Apostles words Rom. 2. 14. For when the Gentiles that is unconverted Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law to themselves Mark here they do the things contained in the Law but how the Apostle answers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by nature that is by the Light of nature or by natural internal Light there being no other inward guide but Light so when the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 11. 14. Doth not nature it self teach c. It must be understood of inward Light which is natural and it remains that I shew what this Light cannot do Notwithstanding this Light of nature remaining in man since the fall be an excellent Light and very useful as hath been said yet in several respects it is â—o deficient and useless even in those things that concern his everlasting happiness that unless the help of a greater Light be given in for his reliefe he will perish everlastingly For first it is utterly unable to bring any man to life that doth most exactly obey and follow it its true the Law which is a Light in a natural mans heart was ordained to life that is to be a Rule which if man had obeyed he should have had life as a just and equal reward of his obedience according to that of the Apostle Rom. 7. 10. The Commandment which was ordained to life c. and Rom. 4 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of Grace but of debt And this was the tenor of the Law Do and live as the Scripture testifies Rom. 10. 5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall live by them But when sin entred into the world by Adam and death by sin and so passed upon all men for that all have sinned in him according to Rom. 5. 12. Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whom all have sinned Now I say Adam is driven out of Paradice and a flaming sword that turns every way guards the way of the Tree of Life that neither he nor any of his posterity over whom the death reigned though they had not sinned after the similitude of Adamâ— transgression Rom. 5. 14. could enter into the Life by the Gate of doing or working as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 3. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight for now all being under sin Rom. 3. 9. and subject to the judgement of God Rom. 3. 19. the Law can only make known the transgression to the sinner Rom. 3. 20. for by the Law is the knowledge of sin but cannot offer the least help grace mercy compassion or life it wounds him and leaves him but pours in neither oyle nor wine that 's the work of Jesus Christ the good Samaritan by whom comes grace and truth John 1. 17. it knows nothing but pure Justice can speak nothing but wrath and the curse to the offender according to that Rom. 4. 15. Because the Law worketh wrath Gal. 3. 10. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them Nay though Adam after the first transgression had turned or any of his posterity should turn to the Candle-light of their own spirit within them and by the help thereof to the Light of the Law written in their hearts and should most exactly obey it as their Rule and never offend it more which neverthelesels since the fall it is imposble for any man to do yet so weak is the Law that it could not give them life as the holy Spirit testifieth Gal. 3 21. If there had been a Law given which could have given life verily righteousness should have been by the Law And Gal. 2. 21. If righteousness come by the Law then is Christ dead in vain I say such is the weakness of the Law that it cannot give life not in respect of it self for it is holy just and good Rom. 7. 12. and able to give life to the doers of it but in respect of its subjects who through the weakness of the flesh cannot fulfil it Rom. 8. 3. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through
Light according to Joh 3. 3. Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God therefore this Light is to all that have it the Light of life Joh. 8. 12. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of life the same Spirit that inlightens doth regenerate and renew Tit. 3. 5. According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost and so not every man that comes into the world but he that is born of the Spirit Joh. 3. 5. and made a new creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. according to that Gospel-promise Ezek. 36. 26 A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you is inlightned with the marvellous Light of Christ By this Spirit also doth he write this new Law of Faith in their hearts called the Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 2. according to that of the Apostle Heb. 8. 10. I will put my Laws in their minds and write them in their hearts where he speaks not of the Law of works which is writ in the Natural mans heart but of the Law of the new Covenant which the Apostle is there treating of and which God would put into their hearts who were in Covenant with him and whose sins and iniquities he will remember no more Neither doth he onely give a new life a new light a renewed spirit and write his Laws in their hearts by his Spirit but that he may cause them to walk in his ways Ezek. 26. 27. and that they may have help in themselves Job 6. 13. he gives the Spirit himself to dwell in their hearts as the same Scripture Ezek. 26 27 testifies And I will put my Spirit within you So Gal. 4. 6. And because you are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father and so they become one spirit with the Lord 1 Cor. 6. 17. He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit And this is that witness that every believer hath in himself 1 Joh. 5. 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself a witness that he is the childe of God Rom 8. 16. The Spirit it self beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God And while he looks at and believes on a Christ without him as having done all in his own person for him according to Rom. 4. 25. Who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Rom. 8. 3. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Heb. 9. 26. And now in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself And Heb. 10. 12. But this man after he had once offered sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God He also knowes and hath a witness in himself that Christ dwels in his heart Eph. 3. 17. and lives in him as Paul witnessed Gal. 2. 20. Nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me And he is the habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2. 27. In whom ye are builded for an habitation of God through the Spirit 1 Joh. 3. 24. We know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us From that which hath bin said it doth plainly appear that the mistake of this people is very grosse who call the light in every man Christ and worship it as the Redeemer and the Lord that bought them whereas indeed as hath been cleared this light in every man is but the spirit of a man and the law written in his heart from the terrour and condemnation whereof the Lord Jesus came to deliver It also appears that to worship this light as the Redeemer is to worship an imaginarie and fictitious Christ and indeed an Idol and in effect to deny the person of the true Jesus who is Emmanuel God and man in union who in his own person without us not in ours hath by one offering once for ever wrought eternal redemption for us Heb. 9. 12. By his own blood he entred in once into the holy place having obtained eternall Redemption for us and is the alone object of Faith yea hence it will follow that whosoever affirmeth as this people doe that the light in every man is Christ is a deceiver and an Antichrist such as the Apostle speaks of 2 Joh. 7. For many deceivers are entred into the World who confess not that Jesus Christ is come into the flesh This is a deceiver and an Antichrist whom the Saints are forbidden to receive into their house or to bid them God speed Verse 10. Receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed But of these and other usefull Inferences more fully after the answering of an Objection or two wherein all their seeming strength lies and whereon their greatest confidence is built Against that which I have said there is nothing more frequently urged then that one Scripture Joh. 1. 9. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world This Scripture they account to be an invincible proof of their fundament all Assertion which in their words and writings is thus held forth this light is Christ God the Lord God and the Lamb the object of faith and this true light which is Christ lightens not some but every man coming into the world And therefore it must needs be saving And that this light can be meant of no other then of Christ they further alledge Joh. 8. 12 35 36. where it is plainly exprest that Christ is the light of the world Because I observe that that subtil Adversary Satan doth get the greatest advantage against many weak and unstable souls through their misunderstanding and wresting of these Scriptures in the mean while being ignorant of his devices I shall indeavour according to my measure to declare the minde of Christ in them that if it be the will of the Lord such as are taken captive by him may escape out of his Snares When it is said that that was the true light which lighteth every man that comes into the world two things must be considered 1 Who this true light is 2 How he lighteth every man that comes into the world For the first the Scriptures do witness that this true light is the Word God by whom the world was made for as it is said Joh. 1. 1. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God So that which is spoken of in the 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10. verses following is to be referred to the Word God the Creator of all things and not to the Word as the Word is
hand with a further discovery of the mystery of Iniquity In the mean time I shall finish this with a few Cautions to all â—â—ts of people but more especially to young weak inquiring persons 1. Take heed of that Religion that begins with a lye for it is certainly a great judgment of God to be given up to believe a lye 2 Thess 2. 10 11. And 〈◊〉 the first step to this peoples Religion is an abominable lye and that every one is taught and required at his entrance into their religion to believe 〈◊〉 lye I have shewed in my former paper 2. Take heed of that spirit that denies either directly or consequentially Christ come in the flesh for that is the spirit of Antichrist 1 Joh. 4. 3. And he that biddeth such a one God speed is partaker of his evill deeds 2 Joh. 11. 3. Take heed of those persons how fair soever their pretences be who have no better weapons to defend their doctrine with then censures judgings threatenings curses for that was not the way of Christ and his Apostles And of those who can curse men and bless God with the same mouth for that ought not to be Jam. 3. 9 10. Eph. 5. 6. Let no man deceive you with vaine words FINIS 1 Tim. 3. 19 20. with 2 Tim. 2. 17 18. Luke 17. 23. 1 John 4. 1. The first occasion of the debate Their firâ—â— Letter An Answer to that first Letter 2 Tim. 2. 23. * Subjective His second Letter to me The Queries set upon the door An Answer to his second Letter Their carriages towards me in my Chamber My offer to meet them upon conditions Their agreement to meeâ— with some alterations of the conditions My assenâ—â—o their alterations Our meeâ—â—â—ng disappointed by the Gaoler The meeting begins Some things premâ—sed in order to the debate The Assertion to be proved â— Argum Joh. Stubbs Answers My reply to J. Stubbs The reason why a natural man cannot know nor discern the things of the Spirit is Because he hath not the Spirit The disorderly carriage of somo Who were obstreperous Geo. Fox asserts the Spirit of Christ to be in every man The first Scripture brought to prove his Assertion Answer The second Scripture brought to prove their Assertion Answer Not all Israel but such only as are born of the spirit have the 〈…〉 A third Scripture Answer A fourth Scripture Answer A fifth Scripture Answer A sixt Scripture Answer None of the Scriptures brought by them weaken my Arguments 2. Arg. 3 Arg. 4. Argum. 5. Arg. No Answers given to weaken my Arguments Their harsh censures wherwith the meeting was concluded The fruit of that spirit by which this People are led An Answer to their Censures Railing not to be rendered for railing Christ not theâ—e example Their lies and false accusations The chief occasion of their censure What they call the Light with in What is their first lye Three reasons of the additional discourse of the Light within Five particulars premised A twofold light within man What the light within is as it respects the affections What the Light in every man is as It respecteth the understanding The Spirit or ligâ—t in every man is noâ— the Lord. The light in every man is inferâ—or to the â—ight of Angels Vis ratiocinativa a 〈◊〉 facultas intelligendi What the Light in Adam before the fall could do There is a Law written in every mans heart This Law is not God Proved * Though the Hebrew words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 creavit formavit fecâ—t may have a different signification as appears in Isa 43. 7. in which verse they are all used yet this may be gathered from them all that the the thing created formed or made is not the Creator c. A summaâ—y account of the Lightâ— in man before the fall The Light in man before the fall could not manifest a Redeemer The Light in man since the fall not such as it was before the fall The Light and Law remaining in faln man is sufficient to render God righteous when he iudgeth the disobedient A fourfold use of the Light in every man 1. To make manifest 2. To direct 3. To convince What Conscience is The knowledg of sin is by the Law What is the Lordâ— Witness in all men What it was that manifested to Adam and Judaâ— their transgression 4. To feel after God as Creator The suâ— of that which the Light in every man since the fal can do The Light in every man is a great an excellent and necessary Light 2. What it cannot do since the fall It is a nâ—tural light Perse or sensu diviso Subjective or sensu Composito In what respects the light within every man is Insufficient 1. It cannot bring any man to life The tenor of the Law of Works 2. It cannot discover the Redeemer it knows nothing of the Gospel Mystery Which is cleared in several particulars 3. It knows not the law of faâ—th The tenor of the Law of Faith The law of Faith is not natural but supernatural 4. Iâ— cannot convince a man that his not believing in Christ is a sin What light it is that can discover these great Mysteries It is the light of Christ Jesus as Mediator which irradiates the soul with the knowledge of Gospel Mysteries The great Agent by which Christ works is his Spirit None partakers of this Light but new Creatures The law of faith is writâ—ten in the heâ—â— of a new creâ—â—ture The Spirit himself dweâ—â— in the heart a new creaturâ— The Spirit is that witness that every bâ—â—liever hath iâ— himself What the great mistakeâ— of this people is 〈◊〉 worship the â—â—â—â—t in every 〈◊〉 as the â—â—deemer is 〈◊〉 worship an â—â—ol â—â—rist is the â—â—ject of faith â—ho is a deâ—â—iver and an â—â—tichrist â—n Objection â—om Joh. 1. 9. â—â—swered Two things to â—e considered â—oncerning â—â—e true light The true lâ—â—g is the Word God the Creator Not as God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How the true â—ight lighteth â—very man that â—ometh into â—he World 2. Objection Answer The word made Flesh is only called Christ The Word made flesh doth only bring life and mortality to light The Word made fleshâ— doth only ligâ—â—ten savingly those that blieve on hiâ— The Word made flesh is given for a Covenant The light gâ—â—ven by the Word made flesh is far more excelleâ—â— then the ligâ—â— set up in everâ—â— man by the Word the Creator The misunderâ—standing of Joh. 1. 9. is from a neglectâ— of a distinct consideration of the Word and the Word made flesh â—â—e necessity the foreâ—entioned â—â—stinction â—â—ared in â—ree partiâ—lars The opinion of this people is many wayeâ— injurious to Jesus Christ and pernitious to the souls of Men. 1. It denies the great mystery of Godliness â—â—d the Lord at bought â—â—em It sets up an â—â—ol â—â—hat an Iâ—â—ol is 3. It opens a way to the Doctrine of Daemons and the worship of the Devil 4. It leads 〈◊〉 to slight 〈◊〉 Scripture 〈◊〉 rule and walk after tâ—â— own lusts 5. It opens door to greaâ—â— confusion Their Worship is Idolatry None but Idolaters admitted into the number of their Priends The manner of their Worship very confused as it was practised in their Meetings in Lancaster The names of their Assemblies members thereof Who are their â—â—achers What doctrins are taught by them What books these doctrine are to be found in Their foundation being rased their whole building will fall This people are objects of pitie A further Debate offered with this people 〈◊〉 who teachâ—â— that the â—â—ht in every â—â—n is Christ an Antiâ—â—â—ist â—â—e reason â—â—y the good â—â—ings in this â—â—ople are â—entioned â— plea for â—â—od things â—ay cloak a â—esign against â—hrist â—Vhence their â—pinion hath â—ad its advanâ—age Antichrist most opposeth Christ when â—he appeareth most like him Such hath bâ— the method this people What hath rendred persons unable deal with them Whence so many have embraced the false doctrine and way The wrong way that maâ—ny have take iâ—â— to suppress their errours The right way to suppress their errours What things are commendable and tâ— be owned in them â—ow one may â—â—me to disâ—n their seâ—t deceipts Characters false Prophet in the last days The spirit of the Quakers and of the Dragon compared Such as oppose themselves should be answered in meekness The Quakers in stead of Answers return Invectives Calumniation no refutation The Quakers maledictions How many sheets they have filled with raylinâ— Language Wherein thâ— Quakers folâ—â— manifest A right Spirâ— would have led them a better way When Antichrist speaks like a Lamb and when likâ— a Dragon The vaine shifts of persons maintaiâ—ning Errour â—uch as say â—â—ey are Apâ—â—â—tles ought to â—â—e tryed Preachers sent â—hough Meâ—hanicks are to â—e esteemed We must not â—id God speed â—o those that â—ring not doctrine of Christ When false Apostles are â—ryed they will be found â—ars A request to the Reader Queries to considered
view as we finde the Lord hath enabled you but rejoyce to have this opportunity to set to our assent to what the Lord hath given forth by you and further desire you would permit it to the Press And these two things move us to desire this from you partly that we have not seen any thing in Print that hath met with their Master-piece as this doth as also the persons undertaking have one way or other had something of disadvantage as you have hinted in your Appendix nor have they owned those good things in them which ought to be owned and we can say we could wish not onely for our selves but for all that call upon the Name of our Lord Jesus that our conversations among men might more glorifie our Father in heaven And then the other reason is inasmuch as the Lord hath made you instrumental and given you utterance for us in this place where these people so far as we can understand had their first gathering into a company And if they may yet hear or others fear and that spirit of Antichrist discovered that the Lord alone may be exalted and our glorying may be together in the Cross of our Lord Jesus whom we may designe to exalt together though we be made but as a footstool to this end we have the desire of our hearts Excuse this unintended tedious Scribble and pass by the Errata's of it which are many and accept of our thankfulness to your for your pains and we hope we shall not be negligent to acknowledge the grace of God to you in this matter and continue to present you to the Lord in that liberty he hath given us of access to the Father through him in whom we are Your faithful Brethren though weak ones in the faith of him who is the Head of all things and true Heir W. L. J. R. J. S. R. S. Mo. 6 the 1 day 1664. Dearly Beloved in our Lord Jesus HAving with much satisfaction perused the Papers of your dispute at Lancaster with the people called Quakers we desire hereby heartily to bless the Lord on your behalf owning his singular goodness in that his gracious leading in this service of truth whereby beside your suffering and witness for your holy profession he called you to we now see the further ends of the Father in sending you to that place that even there where as we have heard this people had their first rise in this Nation they should receive so eminent a discovery and foyl having also by his good Spirit so directed and enabled you to deal with the very spirit and Principle and that with the principal of their party then prisoners with you whereby that mystery of iniquity and spirit of Antichrist is blessed be his Name very much detected and that not onely by the uncontrollable evidence of truth from the light of his holy Word but by that arrogant proud frothy raging ridiculous vain erring spirit so abundantly discovered all along herein from themselves which we intreat you for the Truths sake to make publike with all speed that word being worthy to be weighed by you for encouragement 2 Tim. 3. 8 9. where the Apostle prophetically speaking of such corrupt mindes reprobate concerning the faith like Jannes and Jambres resisting the truth saith for encouragement They shall proceed no further for their folly shall be made manifest as theirs also was the making manifest of whose folly being the way to stopâ—t the proceeding and growth which we are perswaded is as acceptable service as any of the Lords servants can engage in and the rather because under the specious pretences of humility self-denyal justice righteousness moderation patient suffering they have abundantly gained ground reputation to the spreading of their detestable errors by their fair words and feigned speeches have greatly deceived the hearts of many simple ones more especially in such an evil day as this wherein the pride vanity formality and apostacy of too too many professors of truth has appeared but we have a long time through grace been enabled to discern their deceivings and to see through the depth of their cheat and fully satisfyed that these following Scriptures evidently foretel them and that accordingly they are now sadly manifest to the fulfilling thereof Viz. 2 Cor. 11. 13 14. For such are false apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be also transformed as the ministers of righteousness whose end shall be according to their works Matth. 24. 4 5. And Jesus said unto them Take heed that no man deceive you for many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many And there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect Behold I have told you before 1 Tim. 4. 12. Now the Spirit speaks expresly that in the later days some shall depart from the saith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils speaking lyes in hypocrisie having their consciences seared with a hot iron 2 Pet. 2. 1. But there were false prophets also amongst the people even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of 1 Joh. 4. 1 2 3. Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world Hereby know ye the spirit of God every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is the spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that it shall come and even now already is in the world 2 Joh. 7 9. For many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Antichrist Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God c. Oh how visibly manifest are these Scriptures fulfilled in this generation now among us who under pretence of Christs Apostles Ministers of righteousness Angels of God men immediately inspired with the Spirit in the very state of perfection crying up Christ within they blaspheme traduce deny the man Christ Jesus the Son of God both in his name nature offices doctrine How do they introduce another Gospel Ministery Spirit other Ordinances another justification Salvation Resurrection another Heaven Hell then the Scriptures witness to Nay how many have called themselves Christ the Son of God and have undeniably these characters of the Antichristian spirit
which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God So Matth. 13. 11. He answered and said unto them viz. his Disciples Because it is given unto you to know the mystâ—ries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given That Light only is saving which discovers these things to which agrees that saying of Christ John 17. 3. And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent But there are some who know not the Father nor the Son John 16. 3. And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me Matth. 11. 27. No man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Nor the Spirit John 14. 17. Even the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him nor the things of the spirit 1 Cor. 2. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned They have not the Spirit as was proved before therefore they cannot discern spiritual things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiritually Yea further they cannot discern nor know these things because their understanding is darkned Ephes 4. 18. and as to these things they are meer darkness Ephes 5. 8. Yea the light that is in them is darkness according to the words of Christ Matth. 6. 23. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness And Christ himself gives another reason why they cannot know these things Matth. the 13. the 11th Because it is not given to them It is given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given And in Matth 11. 25. he tells us plainly it is because they are hid from them And at that time Jesus answered and said I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes Therefore Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light To such as Christ enlightens with a saving Light he also gives a spiritual life such he quickens regenerates and makes new Creatures such as the Light is such is the Life in men Joh. 1. 4. And the Life was the Light of men If the Light be saving that is effectually and eventually saving it quickens and regenerates and makes a new Creature according to that in 2 Cor. 3. 18. But we all with open face beholding as in a Glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord this saving Light and Life and given together as John 8. 12. Thou spake Jesus again unto them saying I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life A man cannot have a saving Light to see the Kingdom of God except he be born again John 3. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him Verily verily I say unto thee Except a mâ—n be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God And hence it is that Christ is a live-making Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. because who soever is enlightened with a saving Light is also quickened together with Christ Eph. 21 5. You hath he quickened c even when ye were dead in sins hath he quickened us together with Christ But Christ doth not quicken and regenerate every man that comes into the world every one is not a new Creature some are born of the flesh John 3. 6. and are in the flesh Rom. 8. 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God some are dead in sin wherein they walk according to the course of this World Eph. 2. 1 2. and have not life 1 John 5. 12. He that hath not the Son hath not life yea some do dye in their sins John 8. 24. I said therefore unto you that ye shall dye in your sins for if ye believe not that I am he ye shall dye in your sins Therefore Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light Whom Christ enlightens with a saving Light to them he also gives Faith the words of Christ are plain John 12. 46. I am come a Light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness Mark where there is no Faith there is an abiding in darkness and so no saving Light Faith is the Organ of the soul to receive and let in a saving Light An unbelieving soul is a dark and ignorant soul hence it is that Christ who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the beginner of Faith Heb. 12. 2 when he gives his Spirit to illuminate the understanding and to fill the soul with his marvellous light he doth also by the same Spirit give and work faith for it is his gift Eph. 2. 8. whereby the soul is capacitated to receive him as a glorious light to dwell in the heart And thus Christ by his Spirit and Faith and no other way dwells in the heart irradiating the whole soul with the bright beams of his glorious light according to these Scriptures John 14. 16 17. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you Eph. 2. 22. In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 3. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith But every man that comes into the world hath not Faith 2 Thes 3. 2. For all men have not Faith none believe but such as are ordained to eternal life Acts 13. 48. And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed None can come to or believe on Christ but such as the Father draws John 6. 44. No man can come to me except the Father which sent me draw him nor hath every man that comes into the world Christ dwelling in him some are without him Eph. 2. 12. That at that time viz. when they were Gentiles in the flesh ye were without Christ in the world Some have him not 1 John 5. 12. He that hath not the Son hath not life In a word beleevers only have Christ dwelling in them John 6. 56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him Therefore Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the world with a saving Light To these last Arguments I remember not any thing brought by way of answer to weaken any one proof but that which was their last and chiefest Refuge was that Text John 1.
9. That was the true Light which lighteth every man that comes into the world as if the bare urging or rather wresting of this one Scripture were sufficient to overthrow all that I had said For is not he the true Light say they And is not he a saving Light And doth not he lighten every man that comes into the world As I was replying to this Scripture divers of them took liberty to pass many heavy censures upon me which before I speak to that Scripture I shall here set down that the Spirit by which they are acted may better be discerned Margaret Fell said Thou art a miserable Creature James Brown with great fierceness Thou art an Enemy of God Thomas Davenport said but very mildly Thou hast denyed Christ to day Richard Cubhan said Thou hast denyed the Lord that bought thee and would undertake to prove that I was one of those false Prophets mentioned 2 Peter 2. 1. And so the Meeting ended Since which time I have also met with many harsh censures and reproaches The Caoler told me Margaret Fell said I had spoken many blasphemies George Fox said Thou art not a rationable man that was his own word John Baley a youth in the Town said The eternal Judgements of God will fall upon thee and burn thee up as chaff thou art worse than a Drunkard James Park in my own Chamber said with great vehemency Thou art a lyar and a Deceiver and the Curse of God will be upon thee in thy Bed-Chamber and Closet and where-ever thou goest and thou suffers as an evil doer And afterwards sent me a Paper with his Name subscribed wherein he hath these expressions John Wigans Thou full of subtilty Thou enemy of the Light of Righteousness Christ Jesus wilt thou not cease to pervert the right way of God the path of Life Thou art from the Doore thou art a Thief and a Robber thou art a blind Guide Thou Monster Thou strange Birth of the Flesh Thou conceiveâ— Chaffe Thou brings forth Iniquity and drinks it up Thou foolish builder and despiser of the Light the true Light thou art in the darkness of thy clouded understanding contemning the Son of God and setting at nought the love of God to the world thou art a doing despite to the true Light and the Spirit of Grace accounting it an unholy thing Thou art a blind Leader of the blind in the ditch keeping people in the fall and in the ditch wo unto thee thou suffers as an evil doer Henry Wood in a Letter to Evan Price calls me his Priest with much more of this kind of Language which I forbear to mention have I been followed from day to day My answer to these great swelling words of vanity is That I am taught not to strive but to be gentle to all men 2 Tim. 2. 24 and that I have otherwise learned Christ than to render railing for railing 1 Pet. 3. 9. Yet may I not say to them as once Christ did to his Disciples Ye know not of what spirit ye are Are these the fruits of the Spirit of Christ Let them shew if they can where it is written That he or any acted by his Spirit called men even the worst of his Enemies Monsters or strange birth of the flesh or where he ever spake an untruth or falsly accused any yet thus they deal with me for besides that they are not able to prove me a Thief a Robber a Deceiver It is utterly false that I am any mans Priest or that I suffer as an evil doer which thing nevertheless they positively assert but I am moved with compassion towards them and shall not further insist upon these things for I pass not for mans day my judgement is with the Lord in this matter and I am also perswaded the Lord will in due time rebuke every evil Spirit whereby some simple-hearted ones may for a time be ensnared and led captive by him at his will onely here it may be necessary to enquire what in most probâ—bility may be the occasion of these high and peremptory censures Surely I know no other nor do they declare any other cause then this viz. That my Assertion and Arguments brought from Scriptures to prove it do strike at the very Corner-Stone of their building which being removed the whole superstructure must unavoidâ—bly fall to the ground That which they boldly affirm with highest confidence in their words and Printed Books and which is their foundation is that the light which is in every man that comes into the world is Christ the Redeemer and Saviour the Lord that bought them the Eternal and just one the tryed precious corner Stone which God hath laid in Sion the Spirit yea the true infallible Spirit that was in the Prophets and Apostles the door the way the truth and the life in a word the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spirituale the All that is to be known and believed and this is their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 first lie now because I cannot call this the true Jesus as indeed it is not and worship an Idol as they do therefore am I charged to be their Enemie and Christs also in the fore-mentioned censures and in much more of the same kind To the end therefore that the grand deceiver with his deceipts yet hid under a disguise may be more easily detected and that truth being cleared from mistakes may be better discerned and that many simple hearts who being yet ignorant of Satans devices are captivated and led away with the errors of the wicked into pernitious wayes may be more effectually undeceived and reclaimed I shall endeavour briefly and plainly to shew 1. What the light in every man is 2. Of what use it is and the utmost it can do 3. What it cannot do That if God peradventure may please to give unto any Repentance to the acknowledging of the truth they may be recovered out of the snare of the Devil c. 2 Tim. 2. 25 26. For the better understanding of that which is to be spoken of the light in man it is necessary that these things following be premised 1. That God is light 1. Jo. 1. 5. and dwels in the light which no man can approach unto 1 Tim. 6. 16. and is the fountain and originall of all light And hence 2. That all light is of God all light is Gods light that is it is his off-spring he is the Author and efficient cause of it and thence is called the Father of lights Jam. 1. 17. And yet 3. That all light is not God for there are created lights light was the first distinct part of the whole creation Gen 1. 13. He made two great lights to rule the day and the night he made the Stars also Gen. 1. 16. which are called Stars of light Psal 14. 8 3. Now what God creates forms or makes that is not God 4. As External proper sensible
light is Gods creature so also is internal light intellectuall light invisible light both in Angels and men the Angels those ministring spirits those flames of fire those star-like sparkles of light are Angels of light 2 Cor. 11. 14. yet they are but derivative lights lighted up by the Father of lights and spirits Ja 1. 17. Heb 12. 9. created by him by whom all things were made Col. 1. 16. For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principallities or Powers c. So the spirit of man is a light in man an invisible light called the candle of the Lord Pro. 20. 27. formed in man by the Lord Zach. 12. 1. of which more will be said afterwards 5. As all derivative lights which God hath made are subordinate to himself so are the inferior one to another the light in man when he was at his best was far inferior to the light of wisdome and knowledg in Angels Psal 8. 5. the light in Angels is far inferior to the light in the man Christ Jesus as he is the anointed Saviour and sustains the office of a Mediator he as such is the Sun-light far above all other lights lighted up by the Father of lights in him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2. 3. These things being premised I come to shew what the light in every man is The light that is in man may be considered either 1. With respect to the will and affâ—ctions and so it is that inward peace comfort joy and gladness which is opposed to the darkness of inward trouble griefe and sorrow and thus I find the Scripture frequently speaking of light and darkness metaphorically as Psal 97. 11. Light that is joy is sowne for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart Isa 50. 10. He that walks in darkness and hath no light is one that hath no peace no comfor no consolation when the Jewes were delivered from Hamans conspiracie they had light and gladness joy and honour Esth 8. 16. so Job 18. 5. the light of the wicked that is their joy and comfort shall be put out the Church saith Micah 7. 8. When I sit in darkness the Lord will be a light unto me that is of joy and comfort Or secondly the light in every man may be considered and so it is spoken of in this question with respect to the intellectual powers the mind and understanding and thus it is the spirit of every man which is in him the Father of lights and spirits doth form a spirit in every man Zach. 12. 1. Who formeth the spirit of man in him or as it is Gen. 2. 7. The Lord breathed into man the breath of life and man became a living soul agreeable to that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 45. The first man Adam was made a living soul so that without this spirit he could not be a man now this spirit in every man is the light in every man according to the testimony of that Scripture Prov. 20. 27. The spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord that is a candle which the Lord hath set up in him to see by whereof he is the Author and efficient cause Mark Reader this spirit or light in every man is not the Lord but a candle lighted up by the Lord this interâ—al light in the little world man is no more the Lord then the external lights in the firmament are the Lord nay it is so farr from being the Lord the Sun light that it is lesser and inferior to the light in other creatures namely the Angels as was hinted before their light of wisdome reason and understanding doth farr exceed mans as the wise womans words to the King do import 2 Sam. 14. 20. and my Lord is wise according to the wisdom of an Angel of God to know all things that are in the earth and so do those words Rev. 4. 8. they are full of eyes within moreover as this light in every man is inferior to other lights so it is limited and â—â—unded as to the use and exercise of it and cannot extend it self beyond its bounds as will appear by that which followes Again this spirit of a man or light in every man is the reason and the understanding of a man which in the state of mans created integritie was an ascendant light shining with pure Beams of light whereby he was adâ—pted to know his God that made him and the end why he made him and how to answer that end that is to know him as God and glorifie him as God by yielding just and perfect obedience unto him this was the end of Gods making man that he should serve him as David argues Psal 95. 6. Oh come let us worship and how down let us kneel before the Lord our maker for he is our God c. And Psal 100. 3. Know ye the Lord he is God it is he that made us and not we our selves and the end of Gods making us exprest ver 2. Serve ye the Lord c. Of this light we may understand Christ to speak Math. 6. 23. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness that is if thy intellectual eye be blind how great is thy blindness Together with this light set up in man which shewed him his Creator and that he was to be served and how he was to be served it was necessary that Law should be implanted and written in his heart which Law is called light Prov. 6. 23. whereby the will and mind of his Creator was imprest upon him and made known unto him so that by the Spirit or light set up in him he could reflect upon this Law as a rule to every motion and operation and understand the reason and reasonableness of it yet here by the way it is to be observed that this Law is not God God is the Law-giver or the Law-writer whether in the fleshly Tables of the heart or in Tables of Stone but the Law giver or the Law writer is not the Law nor è Contra c. The Law was written in the natural mans heart to be a Rule according to which he was to obey and worship his God therefore it is not to be called God and worshiped as God its true that the Law as also the light as it is in God the fountain of Wisdom and Justice is God but the Law exhibited and in a manner ineffable and beyond expression imprest upon and formed in the heart of man is not God as the thing formed is not the former of the thing Now God saith of himself Isa 45. 7. I form the Light c. even as it is said of him Zach. 12. 1. Who formeth the spirit of man within him And Gen. 2. 7. And the Lord God formed
the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Secondly As the Light of which we speak cannot give nor lead to life so it knows not nor can make any discovery of the Redeemer who only can give life it is not acquainted with the precious Gospel-Mysterie hid in God it knows nothing of the good pleasure and purpose of Grace in God to restore faln man to life and communion with himself by Jesus Christ For the clearing whereof let it be observed That the Scripture doth abundantly testifie 1. That God purposed in himself from Eternity to restore man to life by Jesus Christ and no other way who therefore is most rightly callled the repairer of the breach the restoreâ— of paths to dwell in Isa 58. 12. and the restorer of life Ruth 4. 15. And 2. That Christ only can give a new life and 3. That he onely is the way to the Father as may be seen in these few instances Eph. 1. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world 5. Having predéstinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his will Chap. 3. 11. According to the Eternal Purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. That Christ only can give life see 1 Cor. 15. 45. And so it is written The first man Adam was made a living soul the last Adam was made a quickening spirit John 10. 20. I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly Ver. 28. I give unto thee Eternal life John 6. 57. He that eateth me even he shall live by me 1 Jo. 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life c. And he also is the new and living way to the Father Heb. 10. 19 20. Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way whicâ—h he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say his flesh None knows the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Matth. 11. 27. Nor can any come to the Father but through this new and living way There 's no other entrance into the Paradise of God and to the Tree of Life but onely by Jesus Christ Rev. 2. 7. And therefore such Teachers as excluding the Mediator do affirm That as Adam fell from God by departing from the Light within him even so is he recovered and restored by returning and yeelding obedience to that Light within do lead people from Christ Jesus the true way to the Law that old deadly Gate through which it is impossible for any of the sons of Adam to enter and live They that would lead men unto God by a perfection of obedience in themselves and not by saith in a crucified Christ as the only way into the holiest instead of bringing them into Heaven to life and peace with God do shut up the Kingdom against them No man by the endeavours of the highest perfection of Reason or natural speculations of the Divinity will ever find accesse to God upon a Mercy-seat until he come to acknowledge the flesh or dead body of Christ to be the only way consecrated and prepared for him Heb. 10. 29 30. 2. That the Light that is in every man knows not this mysterie of Christ nor is able to make any discovery of it as is evident from Eph. 3. 9. where the holy Spirit testifies That it hath been hid in God from the beginning of the World And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mysterie which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ to the intent that now unto Principalities and Powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God Mark here it was hid from the beginning of the World so that neither all the Light in Adam in his innocency nor in the holy Angels knew it how much less could the Candle-light of mans Spirit since the fall by any force remaining in it enter into this great secret Doth not Christ himself tell us plainly That these things are hid from the wise Matth. 11. 25. I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and the prudent and hast revealed them unto babes And doth not Paul say when he preached the Gospel That he spake the wisdom of God in a Mysterie which none of the Princes of this World knew 1 Cor. 2. 7 8. But we speak the Wisdom of God in a Mysterie even the hidden Mystetie which God ordained before the world to our glory which none of the Princes of this world knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory And doth not the same Paul who was a learned man brought up at the feet of Gamaliel and instructed according to the perfect manner of the Law Acts 22. 3. And as touching the righteousnesse thereof blameless Phil. 3. 6. plainly declare That before his Conversion notwithstanding all his Light and Learning and all his care to follow that Light to the utmost for he had lived in all good Conscience before God until that day Acts 23. 1. he was ignorant of these things and utterly unable with all his natural and acquired parts to come to the knowledge of them Why else if it was not so did he so violently persecute the Saints as appears at large in Acts 8. 3. 9. 1. and 22. 5 9 19 20 and 26. 10 11. And how else could he think with himself That he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth Acts 26. 9. And kick against the pricks and persecute the Lord Jesus ver 14 15. But that the Light within which he was faithful to was unable to make known unto him the true Jesus and that it was so he himself doth yet further declare in those words Who are thou Lord Acts 26. 15. and in 1 Tim. 1. 13â— where he confesseth he had been a blasphemer a persecutor and injurious yet had obtained mercy because he did it ignorantly in unbelief Thirdly As the Light in every man knows not the Redeemer who according to Gods Eternal Purpose is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5. 9. So it is altogether unable to discover the way and means whereby the Redeemer and with him life and happiness is to be received and enjoyed that is it knows nothing of the Law of Faith mentioned by the Apostle Rom. 3. 27. The tenor whereof is this That whosoever believeth in Jesus Christ shall not perish but have everlasting life according to John 3 15 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not
he that was promised to be a covenant to the people and a light to the Gentiles Isai 42. 1 6 7. Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to open the blinde eyes c. Who brings into the world a life and light far exceeding that light and life that was set up in every man that comes into the world by the Word the Creator which more excellent life and light brought in by the Son none receive but such onely as receive the Son Joh. 1. 12. and are born again Joh. 3. 3. 1 Joh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life He also that hath the Son hath light Eph. 5. 14. But till a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God Joh. 3. 3. nor perceive the things of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned but is dead in trespasses and sins Eph. 2. 1 5. and darkness as to this new life and Christ Eph. 5. 8. The neglect of this distinction of the Word and the Word made flesh which is so plainly set down in the Scripture as hath been shewed and of the properties belonging to either of them is the ground of the great mistake of many who not considering what is testified of the Word as Creator do confound that light which is set up by him as such in every man with that light which he gives as he is the Word made flesh And thence do call that light Christ and so saving which is but the spirit of a man and the law written in his heart springing up with his nature in the Creation and therefore can neither be Christ nor saving as hath been already proved That there ought to be care thus to distinguish it will be made further evident by considering these following particulars 1. That Christ is the onely Mediator between God and man as the Scripture testifies 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus 2. That in Christ there are two whole perfect and distinct natures the Godhead and the Manhood inseparably joyned together in one person which is an Article of faith to which the Scriptures give full testimony as may be seen in these few instances Luke 1. 35. And the angel answered and said unto her The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Col. 2. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Gal. 4 4. But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law 1. Tim. 3 16. And without controversie great is the mystery of godliness God manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory Rom. 1. 3 4. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead 3. That Christ is often mentioned where the two natures inseparably joyned together in his person are distinctly spoken of that is the matter may respect and be applicable to the properties of one nature and not of the other as when he saith I and my Father are one Joh. 10. 30. he speaks of his divine nature but when he saith in the same chapter vers 15. I lay down my life for the sheep he hath respect to his humane nature As he is God he is equal with the Father as he is man he layeth down his life for the sheep and yet one and the same Christ who is God and man speaks in both places This is also evident in Phil. 2. 6 7 8. In like manner when Christ saith I am the root and off-spring of David Rev. 22. 16. he speaks distinctly of both natures he is the root of David as he is God the off-spring of David as he is man So when it is said of the Son Heb. 1. 2. That the world was made by him and in the next verse that by himself he purged our sin we must distinguish and say The world was made by him as God and he purged away sin as Mediatour by the sacrifice of himself Heb. 9. 26. 10. 12. This man after he had offered one sacrifice for sin for ever Thus rightly to distinguish the natures of Christ is not to divide the Father from the Son nor the Son from himself but to give to either nature that which properly under a distinct consideration belongs to it and to both in union that which belongs to both Without which the works of the Creator and Mediator which are manifestly distinct would be confounded As in the matter under debate concerning the Word and the Word made flesh the Word is God the Creator the Word made flesh is the Mediator The Creator sets up a light in every man the Mediator gives a greater light but to such onely as believe on him Joh. 12. 46. Thus having answered their Objections though I question not but a judicious Reader who hath taken a survey of their Principles and shall seriously consider what I have hitherto asserted and proved concerning the light in all men will easily discern both the unsoundness and absurdity of their Opinions and the peril and danger of the consequences necessarily flowing there from Yet in thankfulness to Jesus Christ and for their sakes whether Quakers or others who either through weakness of judgement or want of due consideration have not taken sufficient notice of the dangerous tendencie of their Tenents especially of their Fundamental Opinion hitherto opposed I shall endeavour in a few Inferences from the premises to shew how injurious it is to the true Jesus who is Immanuel the Word made flesh God and man in union and how pernicious and destructive such a sandy foundation will prove to precious souls And first it is evident that this Opinion is guilty of denying the great mystery of godliness which as the Apostle affirms 1 Tim. 3. â—6 is God manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory In which words the Apostle tells us that the true Christ for of him he speaks is God manifest
24. In Sheeps cloathing Matth. 7. 15. Insomuch that if it were possible they should deceive the very Elect. This hath bin the advantage and method of this people they have cryed out against the priests and teachers as hirelings deceivers covetous scandalous c. Against their hearers as an ignorant superstitious formal deceived people every charge having much of truth in it And the persons thus charged being clothed with guilt were never able to this day to look this people in the face who in the mean while crying out Lo here is Christ not in the multitude not in the publique assemblies not in the common way of worship but amongst us a separared people gathered and called out of the world into a more spiritual way Upon these fair shews it is no wonder that many poor harmless people either wanting able teachers or being unacquainted with a Gospel-Church-way or both should readily embrace every thing for truth which they speak who had put to silence all their hireling-teachers and carnal professors This hath bin the very case of this nation there being in many parts few except guilty persons to deal with them who knew no no better way to get the flies off their gauld backs then to crush them all at once and with them the good and the evil together which when many well-meaning people perceived they magnified these sufferers and received their doctrine as the orracles of God and so easily fell into their net to do Homage to their new God In the mean while these ignorant loose and rash priests and people who thus dealt with them lost themselves injured the truth and gave this people ground to glory over them Whereas the right course to be taken in this case is to distinguish between good and evil and what is brought either in doctrine or manners that is good let it be owned embraced and cherished and what is blamed as evil if upon tryal it be found evil let it be put away thus shall we be in a better capacity to see and deal with their most secret delusions In this method I am willing to joyne issue with the best of this people Do they bear a witness against hyreling priests and teachers against tythes against superstitious carnal formal worship against swearing against corrupt worldly customs in any part of our conversation herein I joyn with them Are they at least in shew and pretence for the power of godliness as well as form for worshipping in spirit and truth for justice for righteousnes sobriety modesty gravity and whatsoever is excellent in life and conversation all these I allow and am really for Yea what ever they can make appear to be evil that would I cast off with as much indignation as they and what further good they can shew that I have not learned that would I gladly embrace And thus through the riches of grace having cast out those beams which dim the eyes of many I can better discern the motes that lie deepe in the bottom of their own eye and being upon equal ground with them can tell them that all these fair pretences and high expressions are found to be a covering too short to hide their nakedness and deceit as will plainly appear to the unprejudiced Reader in the foregoing discourse And that while they call others deceivers they themselves are more subtil deceivers while they call others merchants of Babylon and charge them for selling Christs words the Prophets and Apostles words formony though as to many the charge may be true yet they themselves are found in the same guilt none sell more Babylonish ware then they nor do any put off their merchandise at greater rates then they as might be instanced in several persons whom I forbear to ' mention nor shall I further enlarge in particulars of this kinde but shall commit the whole matter of this discourse to the serious consideration of all men and the success of it in their hearts to be ordered according to the good pleasure of the All-wise powerful God whose blessing only can make it prosperous If some may be warned to avoid and others recovered out of the snare of the devil and brought to the acknowledgment of the great mystery of Godliness 1 Tim. 3. 16. from the Faith whereof they have departed and God thereby may be glorifyed the end is gained for which it was intended ΚΑΚΟΛΟΓΟΣ ΑΠΟΚΑΛΥΠΤΟΣ OR An Appendix to a Relation of a Debate had in the Castle at Lancaster Between the QUAKERS and J. W. Wherein the Evil language of the Quakers is discovered and compared with the language of the FALSE PROPHETS IT is foretold that those false prophets deceivers and Antichrists that should come in the last days should be boasters proud blasphemers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good heady high-minded 2 Tim. 3. unruly vain talkers T it 1. 10. presumptuous self-willed speaking great swelling words of vanity 2 Pet. 2. 10 18. raging waves of the sea foaming out their own shame Jude 13. Whether these characters do not eminently appear in some of these people by this which followeth and whether notwithstanding their boasting of perfection and a sinless state they declare not themselves to be the servants of corruption I leave to be considered by all that are sober impartial and wise yea even by such of themselves as are not wholly void of the fear of God in their hearts For my own part though I can say that through the goodness of God I have had converse with Christians in several Forms and in several Nations above thirty years yet I never met with a spirit in any sort of Professors more like those unclean spirits which are said to come out of the mouth of the Dragon the Beast and the false Prophet then this which hath manifested it self in the Magisterial expressions hereafter mentioned in this Paper Had I been mistaken in my Assertion and my Arguments brought to prove it or had I affirmed any thing in my Paper derogator from the Truth of Christ it would have become them or at least George Fox if he was as Margaret Fell affirmeth called from the Shoo-makers Trade of the Lord to his work and service as the Apostles were to have advised them as Paul did 2 Tim. 2. 25. to have answered in meekness But contrariwise in stead of a meek Answer to my Scriptural Arguments after my Paper had been many days in their hands they send forth many infamous Libels stuft with Invectives most of them being put into the hands of the Gaoler and Prisoners before they came to mine wherein besides the unsavoury language following they do their utmost to render me odious and obnoxious to the greatest danger and that by dark and dubious insinuations as That it 's known what I have been and Some things else they have which must not yet be manifested c. By this subtil